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Tags: medtech
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Amniotic stem cells good, but not embryonic replacement
As reported in the Washington Post and other sources, researchers at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University and Children's Hospital (Boston) have shown that stem cells from amniotic fluid can be differentiated into brain cells, bone cells, muscle, fat, blood vessels and liver cells, demonstrating the kind of pluripotentiality that has previously marked one of the real distinctions between embryonic and adult stem cells. Moreover, the amniotic stem cells demonstrated a kind of stability (resisting formation of tumors) that is better than embryonic stem cells.
Quick to pounce on and deflate the balloon of embryonic stem cells as the only solution, some opponents of embryonic stem cell research (e.g., Richard Doerflinger of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who notes,"This is wonderful news," for offering the benefits of stem cells without destroying embryos). They have a valid point, but one that is limited by the fact that no stem cell type is likely to be perfect for all applications and that in reality a continuum of stem cell types exists, with a comparable spectrum of advantages. George Daley of Harvard, notes that amniotic stem cells "are not a replacement for embryonic stem cells."
As Charles Darwin said, "a scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections, -- a mere heart of stone." The science of determining the clinical application of different stem cell types needs to be carried out in a way that is less fraught with hope and expectation of specific outcomes for or against the value of embryonic stem cells for specific applications. The field remains characterized more by wishes and affections than science.
Tags: medtech, embryonic, stem-cells
Quick to pounce on and deflate the balloon of embryonic stem cells as the only solution, some opponents of embryonic stem cell research (e.g., Richard Doerflinger of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who notes,"This is wonderful news," for offering the benefits of stem cells without destroying embryos). They have a valid point, but one that is limited by the fact that no stem cell type is likely to be perfect for all applications and that in reality a continuum of stem cell types exists, with a comparable spectrum of advantages. George Daley of Harvard, notes that amniotic stem cells "are not a replacement for embryonic stem cells."
As Charles Darwin said, "a scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections, -- a mere heart of stone." The science of determining the clinical application of different stem cell types needs to be carried out in a way that is less fraught with hope and expectation of specific outcomes for or against the value of embryonic stem cells for specific applications. The field remains characterized more by wishes and affections than science.
Tags: medtech, embryonic, stem-cells
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Medtech Startups: Stealth, Location, and Platform Tech
Medical Technology Startups Identified in the December 2006 MedMarkets (subscribers only).
In the December 2006 issue of MedMarkets, I note in my MedMarket Outlook column the common tendencies in the formation of medical technology startups in 2006. It should come as no surprise that central to many (though certainly not all) were the premises of stealth (staying under the radar), location (where are startups concentrated, as if it should be any surprise), and platform technologies, among others.
Here, for reference (or late Christmas present), are the companies identified in the December issue.
In the December 2006 issue of MedMarkets, I note in my MedMarket Outlook column the common tendencies in the formation of medical technology startups in 2006. It should come as no surprise that central to many (though certainly not all) were the premises of stealth (staying under the radar), location (where are startups concentrated, as if it should be any surprise), and platform technologies, among others.
Here, for reference (or late Christmas present), are the companies identified in the December issue.
| Company | Principal(s) | Location | Product/Technology | Founded |
| Carticept Medical, Inc. | (Domain Associates, New Enterprise Associates) | Alpharetta, GA | Development and sales of therapeutically related medical devices | 2005 |
| Forcept, Inc. | John Maroney | Menlo Park, CA | Assisted cautery/cutting systems for performing transvaginal hysterectomy | 2005 |
| Internal Fixation Systems, Inc. | Steve Hernandez | Medley, FL | Orthopedic implants (e.g., bone screws) | 2006 |
| I-Therapeutix, Inc. | William H. Ransone II | Waltham, MA | Hydrogel sealant for use in ophthalmic surgery | 2006 |
| iCardiac Technologies, Inc. | Mikael Totterman, CEO | Rochester, NY | ECG-based cardiac diagnostics and medical devices | 2006 |
| NBI Development, Inc. | Undisclosed | Chicago, IL | Spinal neuromodulation devices | 2006 |
| Optmed, LLC | Alain Klapholz | New York, NY | Developing "innovative medical technologies" | 2006 |
| Safe Surgery Technologies LLC | David Michelson | Cheyenne, WY | Capsulotomy cutting device | 2006 |
| TriReme Medical, Inc. | Eitan Constantino | Pleasanton, CA | Apparatus and methods for delivering prostheses to luminal bifurcations | 2005 |
| Vertebral Technologies, Inc. | Jeffrey Felt, CEO | Minnetonka, MN | Biocompatible polymers for joint restoration in the spine | 2005 |
Carticept Medical, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA; http://carticept.com [under construction])
Forcept, Inc. (Menlo Park, CA; no URL)
Internal Fixation Systems, Inc. (Medley, FL; no URL)
I-Therapeutix, Inc. (Waltham, MA; http://itherapeutix.com)
iCardiac Technoloigies, Inc. (Rochester, NY; http://icardiac.com)
NBI Development, Inc. (Chicago, IL; http://nbidevelopment.com [under construction])
Optmed, LLC (New York, NY; http://optmed.net)
Safe Surgery Technologies LLC (Cheyenne, WY; no URL)
TriReme Medical, Inc. (Pleasanton, CA; no URL)
Vertebral Technologies, Inc. (Minnetonka, MA; no URL)
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